A new report from the Iowa State University Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD) revisits history to look at the impact of ethanol and ethanol subsidies on corn prices. The analysis by Bruce Babcock and Jacinto Fabiosa uses a computer model to “rewrite history” by re-creating what actually happened in agricultural markets then removing government incentives to produce and …
Corn Ethanol Policy Forum Held in DC
There have been numerous Senates hearings recently discussing elements of the country’s energy plan. A recent forum on Corn Ethanol Policy took place in the 112th Congress. While the forum was not broadcast, expected to give the opening remarks were Representative Jeff Flake (R-AZ), Representative Joe Crowley (D-NY) and Representative Earl Blumenauer. Flake’s aniti-ethanol amendment was passed in the House …
Ethanol Production, Ethanol & DDG Exports Remain Steady
Ethanol production for April remains fairly steady with the Energy Information Administration (EIA) reporting daily ethanol production falling slightly to 898,000 barrels per day (b/d) or 37.7 million gallons per day for the week ending April 8, 2011. The four-week average for ethanol production at the time of the report was 904,000 b/d, with the annualized rate equating to 13.85 …
Ethanol Report on Boat Racing
A new partnership between the ethanol industry and boat racers is hoping to dunk the image of ethanol as a bad fuel for boat engines. Through the alliance between the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and the National Boat Racing Association (NBRA), the 2011 National Boat Racing Association Race Series will be “fueled with pride” and ten percent ethanol. This edition …
Ethanol Leaders on the Hill
Members of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) are in Washington, DC this week for a board meeting and some face time with Congressional leaders to discuss key issues in the ethanol industry. RFA president and CEO Bob Dinneen (L), together with RFA chairman Chuck Woodside (center) of KAAPA Ethanol in Nebraska, were among those who met with Senator Ben Nelson …
Racing Boats to Run on 10% Ethanol
Just like their counterparts on land, some racing boats will now be making the move to ethanol blended fuel. The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and the National Boat Racing Association (NBRA) have announced that Hydroplane and Runabout racing boats will soon be speeding across the lakes of the Midwest on a blend of ten percent ethanol fuel (E10). The newly-formed …
USDA Report Changes Ethanol Corn Use Term
USDA’s new supply and demand report makes a subtle, but significant, change in the way it reports corn use for ethanol, acknowledging for the first time the livestock feed produced as a by-product of ethanol. Instead of calling the usage category “ethanol for fuel” USDA has changed the wording to “ethanol & byproducts,” with a footnote reading “Corn used to …
Ethanol Industry Comments on WASDE Report
The USDA World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimate (WASDE) released this morning that shows corn ending stocks unchanged despite a 50 million bushel increase in corn use for ethanol also shows a gain in global grain stocks. According to the report, global coarse grain supplies for 2010/11 are projected 6.3 million tons higher this month with a 1.8-million-ton increase in …
Senate Hearing Focuses on Ethanol
In the face of increasing unrest in the Middle East and higher gas prices, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources met this morning to review Department of Energy (DOE) biofuel programs and biofuel infrastructure issues. In testimony before the committee, Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen stressed the importance of expanding the marketing for ethanol-blended fuels …
Ethanol Production Up, Demand Down
Ethanol production started the year strong, but demand is much weaker, according to the latest figures. The first monthly ethanol production data for 2011 shows continuing strong production numbers. According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), monthly ethanol production for January 2011 was just over 920,000 barrels per day (b/d), or 1.2 billion gallons for the month. That’s up slightly …